Former Bellator and ONE titleholder Ben Askren’s UFC debut ended in one of the promotion’s most controversial moments.
After years of UFC fans clamoring for the promotion to bring Ben Askren to the Octagon, the wrestling specialist made his first walk at UFC 235. Amid the hype of Askren’s signing, the UFC matchmakers didn’t do him any favors with his debut opponent, placing the former Bellator and ONE champion opposite one of the welterweight division’s most beloved stars.
Askren and Robbie Lawler squared off in a highly-anticipated welterweight bout at UFC 235, just months after Askren was traded to the UFC from ONE in exchange for Demetrious Johnson. It marked Lawler’s return to the Octagon after a loss to Rafael dos Anjos put him outside of title contention.
Despite the high mileage Lawler entered UFC 235 with inside the Octagon, the former UFC welterweight champion got off to a fast start against Askren.
Ben Askren’s win over Robbie Lawler is still hotly debated
As Askren attempted to secure an early takedown just seconds into the fight, Lawler countered with a single-leg and hoisted Askren in the air, sending his opponent landing hard on the canvas. Despite landing on his head, Askren somehow regained consciousness, but ate some brutal ground-and-pound from Lawler.
After Askren regained his composure, he pressured Lawler against the fence, before securing the takedown he sought after early on in the action. He put Lawler in a dangerous position as he attempted a bulldog choke submission.
As Askren executed the choke, Lawler attempted to fight Askren’s hands and get space, before his arm appeared to go limp. Referee Herb Dean saw Lawler’s ‘dead arm’ as a sign he went to sleep, separating the two fighters and awarding Askren the win.
But a problem quickly arose, as Lawler immediately protested the stoppage furiously and assured Dean he didn’t lose consciousness. It quickly prompted a confused reaction from the UFC broadcast team, including Joe Rogan, who later criticized Dean for the stoppage.
Askren’s UFC debut win has an asterisk next to it in the eyes of many UFC fans. After the official result was read by Bruce Buffer, Askren was showered with boos in his post-fight interview, as he discredited the perception that the fight was improperly stopped.
UFC CEO Dana White promised fans an immediate rematch between Askren and Lawler after UFC 235, but the rematch never came to fruition. Askren went on to lose his final two fights in the promotion to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia after UFC 235.
Robbie Lawler is in reported talks for fighting return with Bare Knuckle FC
As for Lawler, he announced his retirement from MMA after a storybook ending knockout against Niko Price at UFC 290. Lawler will enter the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.
But Lawler might not be done competing after all, amidst recent rumors that Bare Knuckle FC is eyeing a Lawler vs. Mike Perry showdown for later this year. Lawler is still technically under contract with the UFC, and the promotion will have to agree to officially cut ties with the future Hall of Famer to secure the BKFC booking.
Askren retired from MMA after losing to Maia in 2019. He made his professional boxing debut against Jake Paul in 2021, losing by first-round knockout.